The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Watch Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex Watch Reviews

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 17 November 2015, 02:27 PM   #1
joe100
2024 Pledge Member
 
joe100's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,752
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 114300

The night before our wedding, we'd had dinner and decided to take a walk through our favorite AD. I had no intention of buying anything, just a browse. I'd had my eye on the 114300 Oyster Perpetual, 39mm rhodium dial since Basel and this was the first time I'd seen it in person. Needless to say, two days later, it was mine.



Accessories and Box:

Being a new model for 2015, the 114300 comes with the Rolex 5 year warranty and green seal hang tag. The manuals and warranty card are held in the familiar Rolex sleeve which doesn't fit in the Rolex box. Why they don't make the box capable of holding all of the accessories and paperwork seems strange. The box itself isn't very fancy. They really don't need to be I guess, but for a nearly $6,000 watch, they could be better. I didn't photograph the warranty card because my AD is one of those that hold it for 30 days. Doesn't really bother me, I don't need it at the moment anyway.







Dial and Case:

This model shares the 39mm case from the 214270 Explorer, so it'll look familiar to those familiar with that model. They also share the ROLEXROLEX rehaut engraving. The proportions of the case are excellent and they've balanced it with lugs that are not too thick or thin. Nothing polarizing about the design, it's a safe all-rounder. There are currently 3 choices of dial, this one being the rhodium grey with blue indices. The blue and the grape dials are nice, but they didn't speak to me. There is just something classic about grey I guess. Rolex decided to break up the dial with lumed indices at the 3-6-9 position with an applied coronet at the top of the dial. All white gold of course. The lumed hands and indices glow well enough, but Rolex isn't known for their lume. The white fonts are crisp even under a higher-power loupe. I probably shouldn't have gone looking around on the dial with a loupe, because it usually reveals a flaw or two. In the case of this example, everything was in order, no dust or scratches to be found. I like the fact they chose a different font for the "SWISS MADE" text at the bottom of the dial. It's very similar to the original DSSD dial font. Having owned the Omega Aqua Terra twice, I found 39mm to be just about the perfect size for me. I think comparing the two models isn't a stretch since they're both very similar. The only real difference is that the Rolex lacks a date and the display back. The cyclops would have compromised the symmetry, and with such a large dial surface area, might have gotten lost a bit.







Movement:

The caliber 3132 manufacture movement is one of the top movements in the Rolex line. It comes with all the bells and whistles one would expect. The Paraflex Shock system and Parachrom hairspring are nice touches, especially since the Explorer is close to $1,000 more than the OP. Over the past few days, I haven't noticed any variation in the timing so it should be less than a second overall. I'm not too picky about accuracy when it comes down to fractions of seconds, not bad for a mechanical movement.



Bracelet:

The bracelet for me is bitter sweet. I love the engraved coronet on the clasp. Applied coronets always looked like an afterthought to me so I've always preferred this design. Previously it's showed up on the 114300 AirKing in 19mm and the 116000 36mm OP at 20mm. The 20mm version is known as a 70200 and doesn't have the Easy Link feature. This is fine for me, but a few people have have mentioned they like the flexibility of the Easy Link. Personally I'd never use it anyway. The one point that stands out to me on the bracelet, and watch as a whole, is that the inside of the clasp isn't finished to the degree of the rest of the bracelet. The parts are machined well, but they're a bit rough. Of course no one will ever see the mechanism, but at this price, I'd expect it to be a little better.





Overall Impressions:

A modern, 39mm, classically designed Rolex with one of their best movements to date, what's not to love? Rolex finally has an answer to the successful Aqua Terra while not only maintaining the classic lines of the Oyster Perpetual, but keeping a youthful appearance too. It'd be hard to find a situation where this watch wouldn't work. It'll dress up or down, casual or formal and everywhere in between. It doesn't give away anything to the more expensive models either. So if you're looking for that single Rolex, the 39mm Oyster Perpetual may be it.
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy.
-TRF Member 6982-
joe100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17 November 2015, 03:18 PM   #2
sea-dweller
"TRF" Member
 
sea-dweller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Real Name: Dennis
Location: Bay Area - 925
Posts: 40,018
Great review, watch and photography!
__________________
TRF Member #6699 (since September 2007)
sea-dweller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17 November 2015, 08:16 PM   #3
Old Expat Beast
TRF Moderator & 2024 Patron
 
Old Expat Beast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Adam
Location: Hong Kong
Watch: SEIKO
Posts: 28,264
Great write-up Joe.
Old Expat Beast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17 November 2015, 08:52 PM   #4
joe100
2024 Pledge Member
 
joe100's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,752
Thanks guys!
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy.
-TRF Member 6982-
joe100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17 November 2015, 09:01 PM   #5
Psmith
"TRF" Member
 
Psmith's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Real Name: Clive
Location: Exoplanet
Watch: spring-driven
Posts: 38,856
Very nice Joe
__________________
Psmith is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 November 2015, 06:07 AM   #6
joe100
2024 Pledge Member
 
joe100's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,752
Thanks Clive!
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy.
-TRF Member 6982-
joe100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 November 2015, 05:12 AM   #7
joe100
2024 Pledge Member
 
joe100's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,752
Wrist shot
Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (104.2 KB, 2983 views)
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy.
-TRF Member 6982-
joe100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 November 2015, 05:34 AM   #8
m1911a1
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Real Name: Mark
Location: Maine, USA
Watch: 42mm Explorer-II's
Posts: 489
Joe.....you're killing me.....
While I appreciate the B&W pics, I almost lost it on the last one.....

I was in Switzerland last month and they showed me several Green-Dials like that on Oysters in 2 or 3 sizes.
I'm considering that watch with that dial for my wife....in 26mm, 28mm, or 31mm.

Gorgeous!
Great job!
m1911a1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 November 2015, 06:39 AM   #9
joe100
2024 Pledge Member
 
joe100's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,752
Thanks!
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy.
-TRF Member 6982-
joe100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 November 2015, 12:01 PM   #10
scotrick
2024 Pledge Member
 
scotrick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Real Name: Rick
Location: CONUS
Watch: VintageAKs.OPs,DJs
Posts: 180
Quote:
Originally Posted by joe100 View Post
Wrist shot
That looks great in green!

Cheers,Rick
scotrick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 December 2015, 01:46 AM   #11
mineral
"TRF" Member
 
mineral's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,670
Congrats and nice watch Joe. This model is growing on me :)
mineral is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 December 2015, 02:29 PM   #12
joe100
2024 Pledge Member
 
joe100's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,752
Quote:
Originally Posted by mineral View Post
Congrats and nice watch Joe. This model is growing on me :)
It's a nice machine indeed. Wears very comfortably
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy.
-TRF Member 6982-
joe100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 January 2016, 12:03 PM   #13
Etschell
"TRF" Member
 
Etschell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: FL
Watch: platinum sub
Posts: 15,861
Love it. Fantastic watch.
Etschell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 January 2016, 01:10 PM   #14
joe100
2024 Pledge Member
 
joe100's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,752
Thanks!
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy.
-TRF Member 6982-
joe100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7 January 2016, 07:58 PM   #15
crowncollection
"TRF" Member
 
crowncollection's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Real Name: David
Location: australia
Posts: 20,152
Nice review


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
watches many
crowncollection is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7 January 2016, 08:35 PM   #16
Daryl
2024 Pledge Member
 
Daryl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 3,339
Nice


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
2FA-Enabled


Official Member "Perpetual 30" Las Vegas International GTG 2016
Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2017
Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2019
Daryl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11 January 2016, 01:40 PM   #17
d0190535
"TRF" Member
 
d0190535's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: US
Watch: BLNR;OP114300 Dark
Posts: 93
Nice, it is definitely a stunning piece. I myself just purchased the same model during a trip to NYC and am not letting it go off my wrist :)
d0190535 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11 January 2016, 04:33 PM   #18
joe100
2024 Pledge Member
 
joe100's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,752
Quote:
Originally Posted by d0190535 View Post
Nice, it is definitely a stunning piece. I myself just purchased the same model during a trip to NYC and am not letting it go off my wrist :)
Pretty hard to put down myself!
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy.
-TRF Member 6982-
joe100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 January 2016, 11:10 PM   #19
Bluside
2024 Pledge Member
 
Bluside's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,054
That was a very nice review. I bought the blue face OP in Sept. It's a very classy watch.
Bluside is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 February 2016, 04:43 PM   #20
joe100
2024 Pledge Member
 
joe100's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,752
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluside View Post
That was a very nice review. I bought the blue face OP in Sept. It's a very classy watch.
Thanks! Still enjoying it
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy.
-TRF Member 6982-
joe100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 February 2016, 12:33 PM   #21
Gregc57
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Real Name: Gregory
Location: NY, USA
Watch: OP 39mm
Posts: 71
This model is a home run. It could be my 1st Rolex.
Gregc57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 February 2016, 10:59 PM   #22
joe100
2024 Pledge Member
 
joe100's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,752
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregc57 View Post
This model is a home run. It could be my 1st Rolex.
It should be! This, the 214270, and the 114060 are all similarly priced give or take $1.5k or so.
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy.
-TRF Member 6982-
joe100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2016, 12:43 AM   #23
ajas
"TRF" Member
 
ajas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Real Name: Will
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Watch: SubC, Pam, Speede
Posts: 3,137
Thanks
ajas is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2016, 06:03 AM   #24
HogwldFLTR
2024 Pledge Member
 
HogwldFLTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Real Name: Lee
Location: 42.48.45N70.48.48
Watch: What's on my wrist
Posts: 33,249
Sharp watch and one of my current favorites!!! Congratulations!!! Nice write-up as well!!!
__________________
Troglodyte in residence!

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=808599
HogwldFLTR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2016, 06:13 AM   #25
joe100
2024 Pledge Member
 
joe100's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,752
Thanks!
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy.
-TRF Member 6982-
joe100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 March 2016, 11:16 AM   #26
tomilg
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Real Name: Tom
Location: Sarasota, FL
Watch: 5513, SD4K
Posts: 462
Beautiful watch...love, love, love that dial!
tomilg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 March 2016, 09:52 PM   #27
RHJ
"TRF" Member
 
RHJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: here
Watch: 214270 Mk1
Posts: 916
well done photos of a nice watch! thanks!
RHJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 March 2016, 09:55 PM   #28
joe100
2024 Pledge Member
 
joe100's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,752
Thanks!!
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy.
-TRF Member 6982-
joe100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 March 2016, 01:29 AM   #29
pexus
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Penang
Posts: 246
love the way you review this watch....the 39 is growing on me!
__________________
[SIGPIC]
pexus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 March 2016, 01:49 PM   #30
AK1984
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Hickory
Posts: 243
Thanks for review. Please add some color to fully see that beauty


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
AK1984 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.